Senior Manager, Sales Engineering - Mid West

As a Senior Manager, Sales Engineering at Proofpoint, you will lead a team of field sales engineers focused on enterprise accounts in the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions. Your responsibilities will include coaching and mentoring your team, engaging directly with customers, and helping to resolve complex customer challenges. You’ll also participate actively in hiring top talent and work to ensure that your team meets and exceeds shared goals, all while contributing to the ongoing technical training and strategy formulation for target accounts.

To qualify for the Senior Manager, Sales Engineering role at Proofpoint, you should have a minimum of 6 years’ experience in leading sales engineering teams, preferably in the cybersecurity industry. Previous experience as a sales engineer is vital, ideally comprising 4-6 years. A strong technical background in domains like cloud security, network security, incident response, or messaging is necessary. Additionally, proven experience in mentoring team members and guiding them to success is crucial for this role.

Working as a Senior Manager, Sales Engineering at Proofpoint means entering a fast-paced, energetic environment focused on innovation and collaboration. We pride ourselves on our culture of appreciation and diversity, ensuring everyone's voice is heard. You’ll work closely with a driven team dedicated to putting customers first while fostering a supportive atmosphere where professional growth and technical training are prioritized.

At Proofpoint, career advancement is integral to our culture. As a Senior Manager, Sales Engineering, you’ll be actively involved in mentoring your team and helping them achieve their career aspirations. Additionally, our commitment to continuous learning and training provides ample opportunities for you and your team to grow your skills and advance within the company while making meaningful contributions to our customers' security needs.

The Senior Manager, Sales Engineering role at Proofpoint does require travel as part of the job. You’ll regularly meet with customers and team members across the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions, which allows for deeper engagement and relationship building. While specific travel frequency can vary, you should be prepared for active involvement in face-to-face customer interactions and team collaborations.

Managing a sales engineering team in a fast-paced environment requires clear communication, setting shared goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration. It's essential to empower team members by providing them with the right tools and training while being available for support and mentorship when needed.

In your response, focus on specific mentoring techniques you've used, such as one-on-one coaching sessions, developing training materials, or sharing best practices. Highlight successful outcomes from these experiences, like promotions or improvements in team performance.

To resolve customer challenges effectively, it's crucial to listen carefully to their concerns, assess the technical aspects, and leverage teamwork to provide tailored solutions. Share an example of a past experience where you successfully navigated a complex issue while collaborating with various stakeholders.

Building relationships with C-suite executives involves understanding their needs and aligning solutions to their business goals. It’s essential to communicate clearly, demonstrate value, and provide actionable insights. Prepare to share specific techniques or experiences where you’ve successfully engaged with executives.

Technical expertise is fundamental in a management role to gain respect from your team and accurately assess complex situations. It allows for hands-on involvement when necessary, presenting yourself as a leader who can navigate technical conversations and support team members effectively.

To keep a team motivated and engaged, you should create a positive work environment that fosters open communication and recognition of achievements. Discuss how you incorporate team-building activities, provide growth opportunities, and celebrate successes to enhance morale and productivity.

Managing complex customer deals requires a strategic approach that involves collaborating closely with sales and technical teams, understanding customer needs, and applying your technical knowledge to design suitable solutions. Provide examples of successful deals you've closed to illustrate your method.

Demonstrating your knowledge of Proofpoint's vision involves discussing the company's commitment to protecting organizations by emphasizing the human factor in security. Highlight the importance of fostering resilience against cyber threats while remaining adaptable to evolving risks.

Effective onboarding of new team members involves providing comprehensive training on products and processes, assigning mentors for support, and facilitating team integration through introductions and collaboration on projects. Share specific onboarding resources or programs you'd implement to ensure a smooth transition.

Discuss your perspective on how advancements in technology, increasing threats, and the vital role of human contribution will shape cybersecurity's landscape. Emphasize the necessity for sales engineers to not only possess technical skills but also to understand business implications and customer engagement.